Sean Martella's Testicular Cancer Update Blog: Post-Op Day 3

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Post-Op Day 3

Well, today was a good day in terms of Sean's recovery. He was discharged from the hospital around noon today, which is a whole day earlier than what was expected. He's got his pain under control, is able to eat normal food again, and can keep himself adequately hydrated. He looks good though and we're both excited to be out of the hospital and to be back at Ed and Teresa's. We're both excited to come home on Thursday as well!

As far as what the next step is, the hospital drew some blood today before he left in order to run his AFP levels. Because alphafetoprotien has a long half-life (about 6 days they said) the numbers may not be normal from this test, but they did the draw to use the levels as a baseline for his next bloodtest which will be sometime in the next couple of weeks back home in Utah. So right now we have been reassured by Dr. Beck that all of the known cancer has been removed from his body so we're focused right now on the prayer that no cells have spread anywhere else and that Sean will be cancer-free for the rest of his life. It will take several more follow-up visits back home to determine his state, but for now we're hopeful.

We'll update the blog again when we have more information. Thanks!

Karen

2 comments:

Timbra said...: everyone was thinking of you guys this AM. . . come home quick! Glad to continually hear that there have been no surprises and certainly praying this is the end of the cancer!!!; July 19, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Anonymous said...: Sean and Karen,

I don't know you, but I have a close friend who's been going through a similar battle w/ TC and is undergoing the RPLND in a week. (Your blog popped up when I was researching the surgery.) My heart goes out to you and I am so moved by your story and what you've been through. I will keep you in my prayers, and though I don't know you, I am SO happy to hear that they think they got all the cancer. I pray you will enjoy a long and wonderful and cancer-free life together. All the best.

-Kelly, SF, Ca.; July 21, 2009 at 10:58 PM

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The Rundown

Okay, so here is how it all started and where we are at now (short version):

Throughout 2007, I had lower back pain. The back pain got worse and worse. Finally, a doctor ordered bloodwork, which showed that I was anemic. A CT scan was ordered that showed widespread cancer that had originated in my right testicle. There were small metastases in the lungs and large tumors in the abdomen.

In January of 2008 I had a right orchiechtomy surgery done (right testicle removal). A biopsy was done that showed a nonseminoma/seminoma mixture. I was diagnosed as stage 3 high risk. I went on a BEP regimen (Bleomycin,Etoposide, and Cisplatin) of chemotherapy that lasted 12 weeks. All this was done at home in Salt Lake City under the direction of Dr. Nitin Chandramouli. After it was done, a CT scan showed that all cancer was inactive except for the largest tumor in my abdomen. Circa June '08.

In August of 2008 I underwent an RPLND (Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection) in SLC. The surgery appeared successful but a subsequent CT scan showed the cancer had spread to my liver in a couple spots. In September of '08 I was taken to Indiana where Dr. Einhorn (inventor of platinum based chemo and recognized testicular cancer specialist) practices. Under his direction, I received three weeks of salvage chemotherapy. After the salvage, I underwent two rounds of high dose chemotherapy (5x strength Carboplatin and Etoposide). Before undergoing treatment, my stem cells were harvested so that they could be given to my severely weakened body after treatment. I achieved a complete remission in December of '08

As part of maintenance, I took a VP-16 etoposide pill until April of 2009. I remained in remission until July when my blood markers began elevating again. A PET scan revealed a localized tumor in my abdominal cavity, near the vena cava. I was taken to Indiana again, where Dr. Beck performed a second RPLND. The surgery was difficult but successful. At the cost of half a kidney, a bowel obstruction, a possible blood clot, and several weeks in the hospital I was in remission again.

In October of 2009 I relapsed again. I began a regimen containing Taxol and Gemcitabine. At the time there were small metastases in my liver, lungs, and abdomen. Taxol/Gemzar failed in early 2010

In late January of 2010, after having several months of normal blood tests, the AFP marker began to rise again. Tumors in my abdomen, lungs, and liver began appearing again.

In March 2010, I went to Sloan Kettering Memorial Cancer Hospital in New York and began a clinical trial under the guidance of Dr. Darren Feldman. The ARQ-197 pill looked like a good side-effect free choice to try and fight the cancer.

In April 2010, the trial was determined not to be effective for me. New tumors appeared and disease progression showed no signs of slowing. A tumor on my spine threatening paralysis was of particular danger. Fearing that consequence, I underwent a short course of radiation on that tumor and another in my hip.

I have multiple lesions in my lungs, liver, and other areas that continue to grow. Currently, I am in the process of having my tumor profiled on a molecular level by TGen. TGen is a company that is based out of Arizona. They look at tumor's case by case, on a genetic level, to determine new and unused courses of treatment that will be as effective as possible for that individual.

Because that process takes a while, and the treatment itself may not be covered by insurance, I just started a regimen of Oxaliplatin as well. Oxali is effecive in 20% of people in my situation. The regimen often comes with a lot of neuropathy and cold sensitivity. I started this regimen on 5/12/10 and am still waiting to here about how it's working.

Sean Martella's Testicular Cancer Update Blog

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Post-Op Day 3

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